This 1986 Ford F-250 XLT 4×4 is a dry-climate survivor. That will be a significant consideration for any potential buyer seeking a rust-free Pickup to park in their garage. It offers a few luxury touches to make life on the road pleasant, and its engine bay houses the range-topping V8 that would make towing a breeze. It has 113,000 miles on the clock, but the bulletproof engineering means it should offer a new owner years, or even decades, of reliable service. The seller has listed the F-250 here on eBay in San Antonio, Texas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $11,100 as the end draws near on this auction.

Ford’s Seventh Generation F-Series range enjoyed what many would consider a relatively short production life. The first examples landed in showrooms in late 1979, with the final vehicles rolling out the door in 1986. Automotive technology and engineering were evolving rapidly during that period, leading Ford to release a new model to maximize the benefits of these changes. The original owner ordered this F-250 XLT during the final production year, selecting a paint combination of Medium Canyon Red and White. The impact is classy, with the vehicle’s appearance and practicality enhanced by the lockable camper shell. This 4×4 presents well, avoiding the baked appearance that sometimes plagues vehicles from this location. The paint shines nicely, and its overall condition is impressive for an unrestored survivor. Dry weather living has left this F-250 rock-solid, with prone areas like the lower cab corners showing no evidence of rust. The panels are as straight as an arrow, while the trim and glass look excellent. The seller acknowledges they removed its winch front bumper and that the chrome replacement is from the wrong model year. They quote a price of $289 for a new correct bumper, but many people might consider leaving well enough alone. They also include a nice set of side steps, which are safely stowed in the back of this classic. Leave them off or bolt them on? That is a decision for the successful bidder to make.

The 1986 F-250 is a reasonably heavy beast, but the original owner didn’t pull any punches when selecting what to slot under the hood. They opted for the range-topping 460ci V8 that churns out 245hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed manual transmission that feeds the power to the road via a dual-range transfer case. The inherent torque delivery of large capacity V8s makes them ideal for off-road duties, and this Ford’s power-assisted steering and brakes should make such activities effortless. It will happily cruise at freeway speeds, and the available power and torque would allow this F-250 to make the best use of its hitch receiver. If a potential buyer plans an escape with a trailer in tow, this could be ideal in that role. I would describe the engine bay presentation as “honest.” The seller hasn’t cleaned and detailed anything, providing an insight into the vehicle’s mechanical health. There are no signs of long-term fluid leaks or other problems. The F-250 rolls on new tires and is a turnkey proposition for its next owner.

This is the XLT variant of the ’86 F-250, and that package brought some welcome luxury touches. The seats are covered in Red cloth and vinyl, with the remaining trim, plastic, and carpet finished in the same shade. The seatcover shows fading and minor wear, but I can’t spot any gaping holes that might prompt a retrim. The carpet is in good order, and the only apparent weakness is the door trims. The plastic is quite scuffed and marked, although the cloth and carpet inserts look fine. Whether that issue could be addressed without resorting to replacement is unclear. The dash and pad look excellent, the faux woodgrain shows no signs of deterioration, and I can’t spot any aftermarket additions. It isn’t weighed down with luxury appointments by modern standards, but the new owner will undoubtedly welcome the air conditioning, cruise control, and AM/FM radio/cassette player.

If you’re planning an escape into the great outdoors, doing so behind the wheel of this 1986 Ford F-250 XLT 4×4 might be the ideal choice. Whether roughing it in a tent or opting for a touch of luxury with a trailer in tow, the bulletproof nature of these classics means this Pickup should transport you to and from your destination effortlessly. Recent sales results suggest the price could hit $20,000 before the hammer falls, and the seventeen bids submitted so far confirm people like what they see. Even if this Ford isn’t the right choice for you, monitoring the auction to see the result could be worthwhile.